03 MARCH 2015

Bradley Suffered Death Threats After Defeating Pacquiao

World champion Tim Bradley has spoken of overcoming death threats following his controversial victory over Manny Pacquiao. The two pound-for-pound stars will meet again this weekend, live and exclusive on HBO in the US and BoxNation in the UK, as they look to confine their contentious 2012 battle to the past and prove categorically who the superior fighter is.

Following Bradley’s split decision win, he has spoke on overcoming a very difficult period in his career that eventually saw him bounce back in emphatic style with wins over WBO light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov and the great Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Beating Pacquiao was supposed to be the turning point in who Timothy Bradley really is but instead it became a very dark point and time in my life,” said Bradley. “The boos turned into hatred and then hatred turned into death threats. I felt I had done enough to beat Pacquiao but everyone was out to prove that I hadn’t.

“This was supposed to be my night but instead it turned into a night where an icon not only lost but was also "robbed" by me. Everyone sat there shocked without realising that I had just done what I set myself to do. No one stopped for a second and acknowledged my accomplishment,” he said.

The unbeaten Bradley, who has 31 wins on his record, is using Saturday night’s clash as a chance to finally silence his critics.

“Although I am certain I won the fight it is now time to once again show the world who Timothy Bradley really is. On April 12 we will settle once and for all the uncertainty of boxing followers and those of the fans,” he said.

“This is my chance at redemption and I promise I will make the most of it,” Bradley stated.

The Californian goes into this weekend’s fight knowing that question marks have arisen over Pacquiao’s desire to keep boxing, particularly given recent performances, one of which saw him sensationally knocked out against Mexican ace Marquez.

The 30-year-old Bradley doesn’t believe he needs the knockout, but should it be there, he will happily oblige.

“I am in a slight different position than Marquez was. I have already beat Pacquiao once and that was on my first try. I don’t think I have to knock him out to get a definite result but if the knockout presents itself I will take advantage of it,” said Bradley.

“The first fight I injured my foot in the second round and by the fourth round my ankle on my other foot was also messed up. The second half of the fight I was coming on strong with two bad feet. I didn’t have the movement that I normally have and I was out-working him,” Bradley explained.

“I was fighting all three minutes of every round and not just the last thirty seconds of every round. This second fight against Manny Pacquiao I will pick up right where I left off the first fight. This will just be rounds thirteen through twenty four,” he said.

The reigning WBO welterweight champion will also take confidence in the fact he managed to beat Pacquiao conqueror Marquez so convincingly, a wider victory than what the scorecards suggested.

“I was able to show my boxing ability against Marquez with two good feet so this will be no different. I will be faster than Pacquiao, I will have better defence than Pacquiao, I will be hungrier than Pacquiao.

“I have been in the ring with Pacquiao so I know exactly what to expect. There are a few adjustments that I will make, and with two good feet under me, and at the end of the night I will be victorious again,” said a confident Bradley.

Pacquiao vs Bradley ll will be broadcast live in the US on HBO ppv and BoxNation in the UK